Staples out update

I wrote nothing last week.  It was hard to type with the big bandage and wound vac on my arm and I was feeling a little down and worn out after the second surgery. 

I was feeling better by yesterday.  Here I am getting ready to leave for my doctor's appointment in one of the few things I had found to wear that would fit over the Popeye the sailor man forearm bandage.

During the week I wore the wound vac in a backpack.  It had to be running 24/7.  It sounded at times like a ticking time bomb and it was easy to get the hose snagged on door handles and other things as I was going about my day.

My upper thigh has developed a scab about the size of an index card at the graft site.  They took the partial skin graft (or very thin layer) for my wrist repair and covered it with a yellow petroleum-infused gauze-like fabric.  It was supposed to stay open to the air as much as possible.  All week long I had worn a sarong tied at the hip, with my leg out.  Marc kind of liked this arrangement, but it did make it hard to think about going outside.

In order to get to the doctor's office downtown, in the picture above, I had taped half of the top of an egg carton to my leg to create a protective cover for the scab.  I wanted plenty of air to be able to circulate and didn't want any fabric to stick to the new scab.  My pants were roomy so you couldn't tell. 

My doctor took the staples out of my thigh at the donor site.  The fabric covering had been stapled in place.  He also took the staples out of my wrist where the graft was attached.  I no longer have to wear the wound vac - only a thin wrist wrap. 

My trach bandage got changed.  It's healing nicely and will soon no longer be noticeable.

I had to have more biopsies taken from an area of my original tongue.  It was an area that was painful and I was concerned about.  We'll know the results by Friday. 

I've been able to eat more different foods lately and my ability to swallow an chew continues to improve.  I still use the feeding tube for liquid meals a few times a day, but I've added Stouffer's Mac and Cheese (I add a bunch of lightly cooked chopped spinach to this - tres Popeye), smoothies, cheese cake, pancakes, spinach souffle, quiche, and a few other items to the things I am able to eat without too much difficulty.

When I was writing about my health updates, they seemed like such a mixed bag:  Yay - no more wound vac noises!  Yay- I can eat more and go outside with my egg carton lid innovation!  Boo - more biopsies for cancer recurrence were taken and I don't know the results!

Jade, my friend Hollie's daughter, sent poems and words of wisdom in a lovely letter.  Among them was a poem by Rumi about human reactions to events:

This being human is a guest house,

Every morning is a new arrival,

A joy, a depression, a meanness,

Some momentary awareness comes

as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,

who violently sweep your house

empty of its furniture,

still, treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out

for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,

meet them at the door laughing,

and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,

because each has been sent

as a guide from beyond.

 

You never know if an event will ultimately be a positive or a negative.  It reminds me of one of my favorite stories.   You may have already heard a version of it:

Long ago in China there was a farmer with a son who helped him on his farm.  One day the farmer's son broke his arm and couldn't help his father with the crops.  That was a bad thing.  Then the army came through and conscripted young men to leave to be a war.  The farmer's son didn't have to go because he had a broken arm.  That was a good thing.  After the war the families of those whose sons went to war were given riches and honors.  The farmer didn't get any.  That was a bad thing.  Then there was a regime change and those that fought in the war were disgraced and had riches taken from them.  The farmer didn't lose anything and was favored by the new regime.  That was a good thing. 

The story can be made to go on and on with different outcomes - all stemming from the broken arm.

A true story closer to home:

My sister, Ellen, was renting a house in Alabama a few years ago while teaching at a university there for a semester.  Her husband was still finishing teaching in Idaho.  One night she woke to see a hand silhouetted on the window shade - lit from the street light outside.  Someone was trying to break in. 

Ellen immeadiately jumped out of bed, turned on all the lights and called the police.  She spent the rest of the night in a hotel.

The next morning she went to the Animal Rescue Center to find the meanest looking, but sweetest dog she could find. She brought home a dog she named Pepper.

Pepper has become my sister and her husband's total baby, a super sweet, energetic and loving dog.

More than once I've heard Ellen say, "I'm so lucky to have found Pepper.  I'm so thankful for that prowler!"

You never know what will ultimately be positive or negative.  Pepper has remained a good thing buddy.

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Barbara Eldridge]

Lisa, honey, I'm sure some people would like to see you in the sarong!
Love,
Mother

[Jenny Scott]

Wow~ I just can't believe all you are going through, Lisa. And still there you are, with those wonderfully arranged words, beautiful photographs, and a smile on your lovely face. In a crazy, hectic time, your blog gives Christmastime the meaning I feel it should have. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Surely this is the wrong way around (I wish I could be making you as happy as you make others!), but yours is the most givingest blog I've ever read.
Love,
Jenny
P.S. Is that an egg carton in your pants, or are you just happy to see me?

[Jenny Scott]

P.S.S. I'm so sorry you had further biopsies and are once again anxiously awaiting news. You are in my prayers, always, always.

[Lisa D]

Jenny - thanks for the "is that an egg carton in your pants?" comment! I can always use a 'big boy' laugh!

Still looking forward to reading a blog you may do!